Pregnant bumblebee platy

This is a discussion on Pregnant bumblebee platy within the Fish Breeding forums, part of the Advanced Freshwater Discussion category; -->
Hi,
I got a female bumblebee platy that looks quite large around the tummy. She was quite voracious and even was picking on the ...

Hi,
I got a female bumblebee platy that looks quite large around the tummy. She was quite voracious and even was picking on the corycats that sit quietly on a fake rock cave. So I got a breeder net and put her in it yesterday. I've been feeding her freeze dried bloodworms, freeze dried brine shrimp and tropical fish flakes (more than the previous two).

1. Is it OK to keep her in the breeder until she gives birth...I don't know how long I'll have to keep her.
2. She eats everything I give her - is there a limit to how much to feed her?

Hello,
I, myself,wouldn't keep her in the breeder net. It's stressful for the parent fish and it's possible for them to die in it. I would put her back in the tank or put her in a QT tank and get her some real or fake plants that will float on top of the water, therefore when she gives birth the fry will have somewhere to hide. Some of the fry will get eaten but that is the only way not to get over run with babies and it is a good way to keep the strain strong. You should feed her twice a day as usual. She doesn't need anymore.

Ya you're risking stressing her to the point of death or injury by leaving her in the breeder net for a long time. =/ Depends how big the breeder is. I'd leave her in the tank and put lots of floating plants and catch the babies that hang around the top. You should be able to find a few right after she gives birth.

Also ya don't feed her too much. A lot of fish will keep eating and eating but it's not healthy for them.

Thanks for the suggestions ! Just wanted to let you know that I'd released tbe bumblebee platy into the tank last Saturday. I put some fake floating plants in on one of the corners. Hopefully I'll have some fry in a week or so in my breeder net.

Hi folks,
Here is are pics of the platy. She ate about 3 hours ago and is still foraging for leftovers at the tank-bottom. Man, she's voracious !
Can anyone give me an idea on when she might deliver? I want to be around to see it happen and watch the new fry scurry to the plants in the top =0)

THere is no way to be sure when she will give birth, it all depends on the conditions and when she is ready. It is different for every fish. Gravid spots are the baby fish inside the mama and it shows later in the pregnancy. It's harder to see on platys but here is a picture of it on a guppy